Abstract
Polyelectrolyte microcapsules are modular constructs which facilitate cell handling and assembly of cell‐based tissue constructs. In this study, an electrospray (ES) encapsulation apparatus was developed for the encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Ionic complexation between glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and chitosan formed a polyelectrolyte complex membrane at the interface. To optimize the capsules, the effect of voltage, needle size and GAG formulation on capsule size were investigated. It was observed that by increasing the voltage and decreasing the needle size, the capsule size would decrease but at voltages above 12 kV, capsule size distribution broadened significantly which yields lower circularity. Increase in GAG viscosity resulted in larger microcapsules and cell viability exhibited no significant changes during the encapsulation procedure. These results suggest that ES is a highly efficient, and scalable approach to the encapsulation of MSCs for subsequent use in bioprinting and other modular tissue engineering or regenerative medicine applications.
Highlights
Progress in the biofabrication of implantable, engineered tissue is slowed by the challenge of assembling three-dimensional tissue with a fully integrated microvasculature
Microencapsulation allows for ease of cell handling and reductions in the levels of shear stress encountered by cells during bioprinting operations and/or bioreactor cultures
We previously reported on the use of cells and cell spheroids encapsulated within glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-chitosan polyelectrolyte membranes as a tool for tissue assembly using modular tissue engineering principles.[2]
Summary
Progress in the biofabrication of implantable, engineered tissue is slowed by the challenge of assembling three-dimensional tissue with a fully integrated microvasculature. One strategy for tissue and vessel assembly involves the fusion-based assembly of endothelialized cell spheroids. This approach holds significant promise, but it is hampered by the need to provide substantial mechanical and organizational support to prevent uncontrolled cell aggregation and associated low vascularity. The artificial basement membrane biomaterial would perform both as a temporary internal support for the 3D tissue and as a biologically active matrix for delivery of signaling agents and modulation of endogenous cellular responses. Microencapsulation using polyelectrolyte complexes of natural polymers is a technology that provides the necessary biological activity and may potentially approach the level of mechanical performance sought in this type of application. Microencapsulation allows for ease of cell handling and reductions in the levels of shear stress encountered by cells during bioprinting operations and/or bioreactor cultures
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